Stefano Domenicali: “We must solve the tyres’ temperature problem” 

Written by David on September 15th, 2008 at 7:29 pmLast Update: September 15th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

Stefano DomenicaliUnder cold and rainy weather conditions, Ferrari’s F2008 struggles too much, especially with the tyres’ temperature. This is the analysis made by Ferrari’s Team Principal Stefano Domenicali after Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza where Felipe Massa finished only in sixth place and his teammate Kimi Raikkonen in ninth.

“The main problem for us today was that our tyres were really not working,” said Domenicali. “We were not able to get them up to the right temperature to generate the grip and to be fast. Under certain conditions, we can’t express really our true potential, we’re not quick enough. We saw that, for example, at the end when the conditions were different, Kimi was able to go quicker and quicker. He said it was as though he had another car.”

Massa lost also a great opportunity to come up on the Drivers’ Championship standings, given the fact he took the start in P6 while Hamilton in P15. “For sure we lost a great opportunity,” continued Domenicali. “Considering that Lewis was 15th on the grid, it would have been much better for us to gain more points than only one, but that’s the reality. In a way that’s a half a positive thing that we can say after this race. We take away one more point from the leadership of the Drivers’ championship but for sure, considering the situation this morning, we could have done better. But in today’s situation, it could have also been worse. If we had been unable to use the tyres in the better way, maybe there were other drivers who could have been able to pass us.”

Given that Felipe Massa was now just one point behind Hamilton, and Kimi Raikkonen had fallen to 21 points behind, did Domenicali think that it was now time for the team to throw its weight behind Massa with only four races remaining to help him win the Drivers’ championship? “I’ve always said that our main interest is the team,” said the Italian. “Of course, that’s the most important thing and the drivers know it. From now up to the end of the season, in the way that it’s possible to do, of course Kimi will do his best to be as aggressive as possible but also consider the fact that Felipe is much closer to the championship leader, Lewis.”

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